Confederate General, delegate to the Texas Secessionist Congress and Bexar County Commissioner live on the Cibolo in the vicinity of St. Hedwig, Texas.
Robert Weakley Brahan was born on June 9, 1811 in Nashville at Lockeland, the estate of his maternal grandfather, Robert Locke Weakley. Robert was the son of Gen. John Brahan and Mary Weakley.
Robert studied medicine like his father, however he practiced medicine only for family and friends; he preferred being a planter.
He was a friend of Andrew Jackson and spent time at the Hermitage, Jackson’s home near Nashville.
On May 1, 1832, he married Martha Edwards Haywood in Huntsville, Alabama. Martha was the daughter of Judge John Haywood, Jr. of North Carolina and a granddaughter of Judge John Haywood, a Tennessee Supreme Court Justice known as “the Father of Tennessee History.” Martha’s sister, Mary, married Robert W. Brahan’s brother, John Coffee Brahan in Lauderdale County, Alabama in 1841.
From Alabama, Robert and Martha moved to Panola County, Mississippi in 1840.
Robert served as a major in the militia in Mississippi. He also served in the Legislature of Mississippi.
In 1852, Robert and Martha and their family moved to Bexar County, Texas. In 1855, Brahan purchased land in the Antonio Manchaca survey in Bexar County, near St. Hedwig. The Brahans lived in their plantation home near St. Hedwig until three or four years before Robert’s death in 1885, when they moved into their son-in-law’s (E. H. Cunningham’s) home in San Antonio.
In July of 1856, Brahan registered his cattle brand in Bexar County.
On May 1, 1859 Brahan’s oldest son, Robert W. Brahan, Jr. died.
In January of 1861 Brahan represented Bexar County at the Secession Convention of Texas. On February 1, 1861 he voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession of Texas.
During the Civil War, Brahan accepted an appointment by the Governor of Texas to General of the Militia. In this position, he enforced Confederate States of America’s conscription laws in Texas.
Brahan served as Bexar County Commissioner during the Civil War.
Haywood Brahan, Robert and Martha’s oldest surviving son, fought with the Mustang Greys led by his future brother-in-law E. H. Cunningham.
In 1874, Brahan sold his 2,750-acre plantation on the SW bank of the Cibolo in the Maria Jose Rodriguez survey in Bexar County to his son in law, Ed. H. Cunningham.
Martha and Robert had 3 sons and 5 daughters. Their daughter, Narcissa married E.H. Cunningham. Their daughter, Mary Ellen, married Robert C. Houston. Their daughter, Kate, married Henry Terrell. Mary Ellen died as an infant. Their son, Haywood, married Sarah Jefferson; Robert W. Jr. and Henry Clay were never married.
A life long Mason, Brahan Masonic Lodge in LaVernia is named for him.
Robert Weakley Brahan died on April 16, 1885 in San Antonio. Martha Haywood Brahan died on May 31, 1887. The Brahans and members of their family are buried with the Cunninghams in San Antonio City Cemetery #2.
The descendants of Robert and Martha Brahan and their extended families became pillars of San Antonio’s social and business community.
